Paul John Kern | |
---|---|
General Paul John Kern
15th Commander, United States Army Material Command |
|
Born |
New Jersey, United States |
June 16, 1945
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1967–2005 |
Rank | General |
Commands held |
4th Infantry Division U.S. Army Material Command |
Battles/wars |
Vietnam War Gulf War War on Terror |
Awards |
Defense Dist. Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star |
Other work | Board of Directors, EDO Corporation |
Paul John Kern (born June 16, 1945) became President and Chief Operating Officer of AM General LLC on August 1, 2008.
Kern is a former United States Army officer who served for 37 years. From October 2001 to November 2004, he served as Commanding General of the United States Army Materiel Command.
Kern also served as the Commander, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized). He was also the senior military assistant to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense; military staff assistant, Defense Research and Engineering for Test and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense; and Director of Requirements (Support Systems), Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans. Kern also served as Team Chief, Light Combat Vehicle Team, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition, and as the Program Branch Chief, Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems, Warren, Michigan. He taught weapon systems and automotive engineering at the United States Military Academy and was the department's research officer.
Kern served two tours in Vietnam with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment as a platoon leader and troop commander, and was a battalion operations officer with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany. He also commanded the 5th Battalion, 32nd Armor, 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia; commanded the 2nd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart and during Desert Shield/Desert Storm; and was the Assistant Division Commander of the 24th Infantry Division after redeployment to Fort Stewart.